IL HB0399

Creates the High-Speed Railway Commission composed of 21 members including the Governor, legislative leaders, Secretary of Transportation, Metra Board Chairperson, Chicago Mayor, and representatives from labor, rail industry, universities, and regional planning organizations.

Commission shall develop a statewide high-speed rail plan connecting St. Louis and Chicago, incorporating existing Amtrak and Metra services, and extending service to Rockford, Moline, Peoria, and Decatur with inter-city bus coordination.

Commission must conduct a ridership study and make recommendations on governance structure, service frequency, and implementation, with annual reports due to the General Assembly and Governor by December 31 each year.

Initial appointments to the Commission are due by January 1, 2022, with the Commission required to meet at least quarterly and operate with a simple majority quorum.

Department of Transportation shall provide administrative support to the Commission; the Act sunsets and is repealed on January 1, 2027.